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Art exhibits are everything for Amari. The most important artworks were all featured there and no where else. The way she spoke about art… It just made his eyes twinkle with awe. She spoke so delicately, detailing every knowledge she had about the works like they were just in the back of her hand. Her knowledge was extensive, a true show of her passion as an artist. There was not a single bone in his body that could deny that. He longed to have her talk about him the way she talked about art. After all, if she held such a deep passion for it, why couldn't the same apply to him?
He had all the money in the world, he could have everything he wanted—but he couldn't win her heart, not like this. No, he had to go further beyond. If he truly wanted to show his deep infatuation with her, he had to go all out.
He paid egregious amounts for each painting. All of whom were created by the same artist she was inspired by. Each time she heard of the paintings being mysteriously sold, she frowned. The pain reflecting in her eyes like a knife was driven through her chest. He couldn't stand it, he wanted to reveal every bit of his plan whenever he saw that pained look in her eyes.
But he couldn't—no, that would spoil the surprise. That would ruin the look of sheer joy on her face.
So, he continued down this path, monopolizing every artwork created under this artist's name. His tyrannical pursuit left him ostracized from everyone else, but he didn't care. The pure exhilaration of imagining her fall for him all over again was enough to keep him going
By the end, he had everything prepared. He planned this unique solo exhibition all for her, disguised as a simple date gone astray. Everything went according to plan, she was far too oblivious to recognize his plan. At every alternation of their plan, she merely beamed and continued to cheer him on, believing he was to one upset. Her blind optimism and kindness made his heart throb, such innocence he longed to take for himself.
By the time they reached to the exhibit, he revealed everything. The adrenaline coursed through his veins for a moment… Before she spoke up.
"It was you who bought the paintings?" asked Amari, her voice obviously entwined with dismay upon the reveal.
He felt confused. Where was that excited glimmer he sought for? That bouncy reaction she always gave.
"Yes?" he replied, his tone weary.
She frowned. The opposite of his intention. "You… I admire what you did but… You took away everybody else's chance to look at his works..!"
He had practically tuned out every word that fell out of her mouth afterwards. His anger insurmountable as his mind grappled with the fact that she was ungrateful more than anything. He worked so hard to give her this! Let her bask in the glory of her favorite artist! Let her worship him for giving her this opportunity!
But instead, she was sulking?! Sulking for others? Still, even after everything he had done, she thought of others instead of him.
One step after another, he approach her with anger he had never felt before. She continued to talk till he grabbed her by the wrist and spun her around. She immediately fell silent, her face twisting from sadness to complete fear.
Since she was being so ungrateful, he thought it'd be best to teach her how he ought to be loved.